Montreal Fest Soars, Telluride Fans Prep

By I Jun. 28, 2013

Dr. Lonnie Smith will perform at the Telluride Jazz Festival.
(Photo: )

Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, which kicked off its 34th edition on June 28, will include more than 150 indoor concerts and 300-plus outdoor shows.

While the fest delves headlong into a broad range of music beyond the jazz realm, never fear. This year’s edition, which concludes on July 7, will showcase an array of artists to appeal to any taste. The opening weekend included concerts by Wayne Shorter, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, and Charles Lloyd, who performed three times in a variety of configurations. To read DownBeat’s coverage of Lloyd’s Montreal concerts, click here.

Big names abound throughout the festival, with performances by guitarist Charlie Hunter (July 4), pianist Bill Charlap (July 5), guitarist Lionel Loueke (July 5), the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (July 5), singer-songwriter Madeleine Peyroux (July 6), guitarist John Abercrombie (July 7) and a three-night run by pianist Vijay Iyer in a variety of musical settings (July 4–6).

The festival always shines a spotlight on Canada’s incredible talent base. This year features performances by vocalist Nikki Yanofsky (July 4–6), guitarist Alain Caron (July 3) and pianist Oliver Jones (July 5–6), just to name a few.

Festival organizers have dedicated this year’s fest to the memory of pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, who passed away on Dec. 5, 2012. Brubeck played the festival 14 times. The Brubeck Brothers Quartet (featuring Dave’s sons) will play a tribute to the iconic pianist on July 7.

Check out the complete musical schedule for this year’s festival at montrealjazzfest.com.

As soon as the Montreal fest closes, some road-tripping fans start planning for the trek to Colorado for the 37th Annual Telluride Jazz Festival, taking place Aug. 2–4.

This year’s Telluride guest of honor is Hammond B3 organ master Dr. Lonnie Smith, who recently released a live trio album, The Healer, and who has recorded a forthcoming octet album, In The Beginning. He’ll be honored with a reception on Aug. 1 and perform at the fest on Aug. 2–3.

Guitarist John Scofield’s Uberjam Band (with Andy Hess, Avi Bortnick and Adam Deitch) will perform on Aug. 2, and bassist Stanley Clarke will lead his band on Aug. 3.

The music of New Orleans will be the focus on Aug. 4, with performances by Galactic, the Stooges Brass Band and the New Orleans Suspects, which includes “Mean” Willie Green (drummer for the Neville Brothers), Reggie Scanlan (bassist in the Radiators), Jake Eckert (lead guitarist in the Dirty Dozen Brass Band), CR Gruver (pianist from Outformation) and Jeff Watkins (the former leader of James Brown’s band).

The festival also includes special events such as wine tastings, yoga classes and activities for kids. More information and a complete lineup is posted at the fest’s website.

—Bobby Reed